Religion and Bioethics ET*

This course is an introduction to bioethics, or the principles, virtues, and other moral norms that guide decision-making in the health sciences. We will focus on moral norms accepted by Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, and humanistic traditions and embedded in a liberal, pluralistic society. We will consider the implications for euthanasia and assisted suicide, abortion, assisted reproduction, genetics, research on human subjects, and other health care issues that occupy public debate. Popular films and numerous actual and hypothetical cases that raise important issues in bioethics will be used throughout the course. 3 hrs. lect./disc.